BALTIMORE — The Orioles’ return to full strength is far from imminent, but three key players are making meaningful progress in their rehab with one appearing likely to be back for next week’s West Coast trip.
After beginning a minor-league rehab assignment by striking out three and allowing one hit in an inning for Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, two-time All-Star closer Ryan Helsley is the closest of Baltimore’s 11 players currently on the injured list to return to the active roster. Manager Craig Albernaz said the 31-year-old right-hander touched 100 mph and averaged 98 with his fastball over a 14-pitch outing that included 12 strikes.
On the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation since May 1, Helsley may need only one more rehab game before being activated. In 12 appearances covering 10 2/3 innings this season, Helsley has seven saves and a 2.53 ERA.
“He feels really good. The progression he had that was built in was awesome,” Albernaz said prior to Friday’s series opener with San Diego. “We got to see him get his bullpens in, the live [batting practice sessions] here, so we could get eyes on him. He checked every box, he looks great, and he’s responding well. I believe he’s scheduled to throw tomorrow and then kind of go from there with how he’s feeling and see what the next steps are.”
The Orioles ranked 16th in the majors in bullpen ERA (4.14) through April 28 when Helsley last pitched in a game. They rank 25th in bullpen ERA (4.94) since then and 22nd (4.60) over the entire season to date. While right-hander Rico Garcia has been one of the club’s most valuable players with four saves and a 1.26 ERA, Baltimore is in great need of high-leverage help, which is why president of baseball operations Mike Elias signed Helsley to a two-year, $28 million contract in the first place.
Starting pitcher Dean Kremer hasn’t pitched since straining his right quad while completing his between-start work that followed his April 18 outing, but he threw two innings of live batting practice that totaled 35 pitches in Sarasota on Thursday. Barring a setback, reaching that step in his progression should bode well for Kremer beginning a minor-league rehab assignment in the near future. Having missed nearly two full months, however, the 30-year-old will need a longer rehab assignment to ramp up his pitch count compared to Helsley being a one-inning reliever.
Outfielder Dylan Beavers has been on the 10-day IL with a right oblique strain since May 13, but he has now advanced to hitting off a pitching machine and is scheduled to take live batting practice early next week. If that goes well, the hope is for the rookie to then advance to a rehab assignment.
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To no surprise, rookie right-hander Trey Gibson is expected to remain in the starting rotation with veteran Chris Bassitt being placed on the IL with lower back discomfort earlier this week.
“That’s the plan. Trey’s been throwing well,” Albernaz said. “I’d love to have him around.”
The 24-year-old has pitched to a respectable 4.24 ERA over his first 17 major league innings, but the next step will be missing more bats as Gibson’s logged only five strikeouts compared to eight walks.
